Why happiness is key
Happiness and health are closely tied together, with each affecting the other. This means that if you aren’t happy your health suffers and vice versa. Ultimately, this means that if you want to be as healthy as possible, you should look at things that are affecting how happy you are as well as how long you spend at the gym each week.
Healthy people are happier
A recent study found that health was one of the biggest factors when determining how happy someone is. The study measured people’s life satisfaction and what impacts this.
It was found that money had a much smaller impact on happiness than health and relationships did, showing that physical health and social and psychological factors are most important when it comes to being happy.
Happy people live longer
A study looking at the effects of positivity on health found that happier people really do live longer. People who feel happy and satisfied with life, and who have a sense of purpose, live longer than people who don't have those feelings.
An analysis of 30 studies found that happiness adds several years to a person's life.
Happy people are more productive
When you are happy, working hours seem to fly by. You channel your high energy into your tasks, finishing off your to-do list faster and more efficiently. When you are not preoccupied with worry or sad thoughts, your creative juices flow freely.
Happiness strengthens your immune system
Not only does being happy protect you from big health issues, it can also reduce the smaller complaints, such as cold and flu. Studies have found that being more positive actually strengthens your immune system, helping your body fight off viruses and limiting the impact they have on you.
All of this means that good health could be aided and affected by your happiness levels. With this in mind, it might be worth looking at what you can do each day to put a smile on your face.